Letters, May 2: College dreams can come true on a budget

SAN CLEMENTE, Sammi Jo Thielen: I understand we want to give our children everything, but there comes a time when enough is enough. The majority of high school students do not have a firm grasp on financial issues and when parents let them make the ultimate decision on which college they want to attend so that they have that "great college experience," students don't really get what it means to carry so much debt once they graduate or to saddle their parents with that debt.

MCT Illustration

The article, "College: Comparing costs is complex" [News, April 26] said that "there is a belief by some families that college should be made possible no matter what the cost."

Well how about sitting your child down and having a very frank discussion with them about financial issues, debt, how it will affect them and the family and that the "great college experience" can be found at most colleges.

Four years ago my daughter was accepted to her No. 1 choice, Chapman. After figuring out the complete costs, we sat her down and talked to her about the financial burden that would be placed on our family and on her once she graduated. We showed her the numbers and although we wanted her to go to her No. 1 choice, we told her it just wasn't going to happen.

We told her we could afford to pay for a less expensive college without us or her incurring any debt. Sure she was sad, but a funny thing happened the next day. She came home with a CSUF sticker on her car window.

She is graduating (after four years) this May with a degree in hand and not one ounce of debt. She had a "great college experience" living on or near campus all four years, getting a great education, participating on the CSUF cheer squad and making some lifelong friends along the way. So to the young man in the article who is leaning toward Cornell that has offered him no scholarship money – think about the financial burden on your family and yourself and go to USC or Syracuse.

I'm sure both of those schools have the programs you want and "the great college experience."

Taking care of her own

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Robert Mallory: One needs to look no further than Supervisor Janet Nguyen when talking about wasteful spending ["Supervisor's aide clocked in just 13 hours a week," Local, April 28]. The latest report about her lack of fiscal responsibility details the outrageous salary of $105,420 for an aide who clocks in to the county office for an average of 13 hours a week. Nguyen's deputy chief of staff Tam "Nick" Lecong must be very upset along with Supervisor Janet that this misuse of taxpayers' money has come to light.

Thank you O.C. Watchdog. Let's not forget that Supervisor Janet used her office in the past as a baby day-care center and she also has her sister on the government dole. Nepotism did you say? Now Supervisor Janet wants to run for a state office? With her egregious spending record, she should fit right in.

The truth about abortion

ALISO VIEJO, Nick Braico: Abortion is one of the most polarizing and significant social issues of the last century, but being in denial about its realities is no place for a syndicated columnist ["Lines get blurrier on abortion," Opinion, May 1]. Sally Quinn inexplicably wrote the following sentence in her recent column: "I don't know anyone who is pro abortion. But being pro choice is different." Really?

News flash Ms. Quinn, pro choice is pro abortion. When a woman chooses to exercise her right to an abortion because "she should be allowed to do with her body what she chooses," it is still an abortion. Using the word "choice" doesn't change that.

The sad reality, regardless of one's position, is that choosing to have an abortion is also choosing to end the life of a baby. You can't have one without the other. Let's at least be truthful.

We value our neighbors

COSTA MESA, Bob and Shari Jameson: We live in the same "bird street" neighborhood as the Piecemakers ["Piecemakers carry on," Front Page, April 29]. They are friendly, kind and responsible neighbors.

We have used their services many times and have been very pleased. They are excellent contractors, builders and craftsmen who stand by their work. The support staff is always very helpful and competent.

Although your 3-day story had a slightly negative bent, those of us who know and work with the Piecemakers will continue to value them.

Let's let Marie Kolasinski rest in peace. Give the surviving Piecemakers a chance to rebuild their business and thrive.

Four R's of forgiveness

HUNTINGTON BEACH, J. T. Pasienski: I am tired of hearing about forgiveness for the two Boston bombing suspects ["To err is human; to forgive is divine," Faith & Values, April 29]. I heard the same drivel at mass this weekend. It's been two weeks, where is the compassion for the victims and their families?

I was taught the four R's of forgiveness: Recognize – what you have done, Repent – for what you have done, Reconcile – with those you have offended, And Resolve – not to do it again. I have not seen any of this.

As for Jesus forgiving those who put him to death because they "know not what they do," that may be true but these two brothers knew exactly what they were doing, and did not care if they died because they believed that they would get their 72 virgins.

I try not to be a proponent of the death penalty, but in this case I am willing to make an exception. Because if there is a hell, one of them is already there.

The politics of pot

ANAHEIM, John Waugen: Judi Roznos's letter, "Pot problems" [April 27], is a great example of why we have the problems we have. We have a problem? Well, just get rid of it. Yeah right. She is full of the problem but has not word on how to eliminate it.

Early last century we had prohibition of alcohol. Chicago had 89 taverns before and 369 "Speak Easies" during Prohibition. If I were bringing a new product into the market I would make sure it was illegal. That would insure its success.

Prohibition doesn't work and never has. If you want to control pot make it legal and then you can. I am an 90-year-old, college-educated, retired engineer. I am hardly a street bum but I have a bad back and am some what of an insomniac. I recently got a hold of some pot which I took at bed time. It is not a sleeping pill but it took away the pain and I was content, asleep or not. My source dried up for reasons I don't understand. What is sad is, that it is just some more politics.

Health care skyrockets

LAGUNA BEACH, Bruce West: Regarding the article, "Rising health care costs and the limits of Obamacare" [Business, April 26]: California Insurance Commissioner David Jones claims that rising premiums are due to health insurance companies engaging in "profit taking" which is an opinion shared by former insurance company executive Wendell Potter. In his book, "Deadly Spin," Potter says the health insurance industry is dominated by a few large companies that have no reason to keep rate hikes reasonable.

I say if insurance companies continue their price gauging under ObamaCare don't be surprised if voters ask for the public insurance option, which was a proposal ignored by Obama.

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the Editor: E-mail to letters@ocregister.com.
Please provide your name, city and telephone number (telephone numbers will not be published).
Letters of about 200 words or videos of 30-seconds
each will be given preference. Letters will be edited for length, grammar and clarity.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.